Mariners women remain alive after dominant 9-0 win over Parramatta

ON TARGET: Both Cushla Rue (left) and Jess Salomoni found the back of the net on Sunday as the Western NSW Mariners crushed Parramatta 9-0. Photo: PHIL BLATCH

THE Western NSW Mariners FC kept their bid to make the Football NSW Women’s State League finals alive on Sunday with a dominant 9-0 win over Parramatta.

The win at Proctor Park saw the Mariners move within three points of the fourth-placed University of NSW side – the team which Western hopes to leapfrog to take part in the finals.

The Jason Payne coached outfit will meet Uni in the final round of the regular season, but before then Western must keep building on what it produced against Parramatta.

Having trounced the winless Parramatta in two prior encounters – to the tune of 8-0 and 16-0 - Western was a hot favourite for Sunday’s match.

A strong, blustery wind made for less than ideal playing conditions, but Payne’s players were able to adapt their passing.

ON TARGET: Poorsha Mcphillamy scored on Sunday.

By half-time it was 4-0 and from there Western went on with the job.

“It was fair blowing when we were playing. In the first half we ran into the wind, but the through balls were holding up nicely for the girls to run on to,” the coach said.

“We spoke about it at half-time, that in the second half those same weighted passes were running long, and the girls adjusted well.”

Jasmin Courtenay, Annabel Meadley and Jessica Salomoni each finished with a double.

Cushla Rue, who also found the back of the net, impressed both Payne and her team-mates with her efforts. It was the under 15s talent’s 10th game with the top grade side.

It was nice to score a few goals, it helps our goal difference and it was good for the girls’ confidence.

Western NSW Mariners FC coach Jason Payne

Sunday’s match also saw another of the Mariners’ rising talents make her debut, Laura Risch backing after playing for he under 15s.

“Parramatta has it’s issues and I don’t know how much we will take out of a game like that, but it was nice to score a few goals, it helps our goal difference and it was good for the girls’ confidence,” Payne said.

“Hopefully we can build on that for next week, but we really need to get the wins to put the pressure on the teams above us.”